BOYERTOWN, PA — For Rachael Kehler, opening The Peppermint Stick Candy Store was not just a business decision — it was a way to blend family tradition with small-town charm. This spring, Kehler’s popular shop marked a decade in business, delighting generations of visitors with its nostalgic array of sweets and a uniquely interactive shopping experience.
Inspired by watching tourists from the nearby Colebrookdale Railroad seeking attractions downtown, Kehler envisioned a classic candy store to anchor Boyertown’s community spirit. Today, her shop is a vibrant tribute to confectionery history, offering everything from root beer barrels and circus peanuts to gummies, truffles, and seasonal chocolate treats made in-house.
The store’s wall of “penny candy” — though no longer a penny — engages young customers in hands-on learning, encouraging them to make financial decisions and enjoy the tactile charm of scooping sweets into paper bags and weighing them on an old-fashioned scale. “There’s all these different elements where you’re participating in the purchase,” Kehler explained.
Despite a family background rich with entrepreneurial ventures, Kehler sought outside guidance, turning to SCORE TriCounty mentor Tom Gosse to help shape her vision. Together, they built a detailed business plan and financial projections. “Doing the projections really helps you to plan,” Kehler noted. “It’s great having that plan and having somebody to say to you, ‘Did you think about this?’”
Their collaboration laid the groundwork for expansion. Last fall, Kehler added an adjoining ice cream parlor when the neighboring dentist’s office closed, making her shop a true one-stop destination for sweet indulgence. “When you’re thinking about ice cream, I want people to think of us,” she said.
While daily sales are buoyed by Boyertown’s steady foot traffic, peak seasons — Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter — remain crucial, with the shop selling over 3,000 pounds of candy just for the town’s Halloween parade.
Looking ahead, Kehler hopes to open additional locations but remains focused on ensuring the business’s longevity and local roots. “Having a business is a lot of stress,” she acknowledged. “My next priority is to ensure that the business continues.”
With a decade of sweet memories already behind her and an eye on the future, Kehler’s Peppermint Stick Candy Store stands as a testament to community connection, timeless treats, and entrepreneurial perseverance.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.